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Please note: Visit the organisation’s website for more information.
[UPDATED – 25 January]
Small Business Scam Alert (All)
The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) has warned Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and Co-operatives against sending proposals and paying administration fees for the preapproval of funds to agencies.
“The DSBD warns SMMEs and Co-operatives against such fraudulent agencies purporting to be entities or representatives of the department,” the department said on Wednesday.
The department said cyber criminals use national crises and emergencies such as the current COVID-19 pandemic to prey on unsuspecting victims.
“Their modus operandi includes identity theft and pretending – through fake emails – to be representatives of government departments and agencies. The department wishes to remind the public that all funding application processes are on its official websites.”
The department has advised the small business sector not to utilise social media platforms to accept any applications.
Access to services for SMMEs and Co-operatives is free. Any SMME or Co-operative who receives such a request must immediately report the incident to the DSBD Hotline 086 677 7867 or send an e-mail to info@dsbd.gov.za.
Valid information on the sector can be found on www.dsbd.gov.za; www.sefa.org.za; www.seda.org.za; or www.mybindu.org.za.
SMMEs and Co-operatives are encouraged to register their businesses on www.smmesa.gov.za. Funding applications can be done at www.eservices.gov.za. – SAnews.gov.za
Bakeries and Confectioneries Business Support Scheme (Food & Beverages)
The scheme is funded through the Township Entrepreneurship Fund and focuses on small-scale, micro, informal and cooperative enterprises based in townships and villages. The target is owner-managed micro, informal (home-based) and cooperative bakeries and confectioneries.
Bakeries and confectioneries with turnover of less than R500, 000 can apply for both financial and business development support. Small-scale bakeries and confectioneries with turnover of more than R500, 000 only qualify for business development support.
Visit http://smmesa.gov.za to register your business and apply.
Find out more here.
Butcheries Support Programme (Food & Beverages)
This scheme supports entrepreneurs with a formal registered butchery business with CIPC, SARS and have Municipal Trade Permits operating in townships, rural areas and CBD areas.
The programme is a blended funding model of portion loan and grant funding. They aim to support 9,500 enterprises. Each enterprise will be allocated R10, 000.
The following is covered under the scheme: limited equipment/ refurbishment of existing equipment, stock, access to a partial loan and partial grant financing solution, training on compliance and technical skills improvement, and more.
Register your business and apply on http://smmesa.gov.za.
Read more here.
The Fruit and Vegetables Vendors Support Scheme (Food & Beverages)
The scheme is aimed at supporting informal and micro fruit and vegetables vendors.
As part of the scheme, vendors will receive focused support packages (financial and non-financial) to strengthen operations during COVID-19 lockdown and as part of Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme interventions.
A once-off grant will be allocated to 40, 000 entrepreneurs valued at R1, 000 each via Nedbank.
Entrepreneurs must be in possession of Municipal Trade Permits selling fruits and vegetables on designated spots in townships, rural areas and CBD areas demarcated in terms of municipal by-laws for trading purpose.
To register and apply, visit the website http://smmesa.gov.za.
More info found here.
Informal and Micro Personal Care Services Support Scheme (Beauty)
The personal care scheme supports informal and micro-businesses in these sub-sectors:
– Hairdressers & hair salons;
– Beauty therapists, make-up artists & beauty salons;
– Nail technicians; and
– Massage therapists & massage spas including mobile spas
Financial support covered by the personal care scheme is a blended funding model of portion loan and grant funding to the maximum of R10, 000 per enterprise. This covers working capital and cost of equipment.
Visit http://smmesa.gov.za to register your business and apply.
Find out more here.
City of Cape Town Business Support and Guidance for COVID-19 (All)
The City of Cape Town extended its business support and would like to remind businesses of the available support that can offer some relief.
Businesses can apply for a number of support interventions including the Business Support Programme.
The programme provides assistance to small businesses (15 to 50 employees) in distress by proactively addressing the challenges businesses are facing and to prevent possible liquidation, closure or job losses.
A full list of all interventions is available here.
2021 AFF Accelerator Program (Tech startups)
Africa FinTech Foundry (AFF) is an Access Bank initiative that aims to nurture, fund, and accelerate the growth of FinTech startups in Africa. They are looking for the continent’s next unicorn.
The programme offers mentorship and accelerator programmes to help fast-track the growth and maturity of startups. They are looking for solutions to provide greater access to financial services to the financially excluded across the continent.
Find out more here.
***FUNDING & NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES***
Jua Kickstarter Fund (Startups)
The US$1 million fund aims to provide entrepreneurs with capital to kickstart or expand their enterprises. African businesses can apply, whether they have a concept or are mature businesses that need that kickstart into the next level.
To enter, individuals will be required to sign up for the JUA Kickstarter Startup Olympics.
Finalists will be selected to take part in question-and-answer sessions over five days with a panel of judges. Each day will have a different theme. Successful participants will proceed to the next round.
The deadline for the Olympics’ applications is 31 January 2021.
- SEE ALSO: Going Beyond the Pitch
The 7th Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme (SMEs)
The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, is a 10-year, $100 million commitment.
Its mission is to identify, train, provide mentorship and fund 10,000 entrepreneurs, who are capable of changing the face of business across Africa.
According to the programme website, this year’s intervention prioritises the economic recovery of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) and young African entrepreneurs, following the Covid-19 disruption to economic activities.
The pillars of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme are:
1. Mentoring
2. Start-up Enterprise Toolkit
3. Online Resources
4. Meetups
5. Elumelu Entrepreneurship Forum
6. Seed Capital Funding
7. TEF Entrepreneurship Programme Alumni Network
Applications to apply for this programme close on 31 March 2021.
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***TRAINING & SUPPORT PROGRAMME OPPORTUNITIES***
Women Enabled Enterprises (Women)
The organisation offers a 12-week long business basics virtual programme to women of colour.
Participants will receive mentorship and training from top startup experts. The opportunity is open for women who want to kickstart a business idea or take their business to another level.
Criteria:
– You must be a woman of colour (Black, Coloured, Indian, Asian)
– Must be over the age of 18.
– You must have a South African ID or valid Visa.
– Once the applicant is accepted into the incubator, she will need to pay a registration fee of R500.
– Scholarships may be awarded to participants that meet scholarship requirements.
– Micro-funding or grants are not guaranteed, these are selection/effort based.
The deadline for applications is 13 January 2021.
1000 Tech Entrepreneurs Movement (Tech)
Those who have an interest and willingness to start and lead a tech startup can register to join this five-day bootcamp. No prior entrepreneurship experience is required.
This is a is a nationwide campaign with ideation and MVP bootcamps. From January, the bootcamps for entrepreneurs will start in the Free State, Northern Cape, North West, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
Grow with Google (All)
The Google digital hub provides free tools and resources to businesses and individuals. It has initiatives like Google My Business, Marketing Kit tool and Market Finder tool.
Examples of tools is the free marketing kit from Google My Business which allow users to create custom posters, social posts and more; from reviews and highlights on your Business Profile on Google.
The Market Finder recommends the best market for your business.
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*** INCUBATORS & ACCELERATORS ***
Future of Work Africa 2021 (Startups)
Village Capital, with the support of IFC, is launched the Future of Work Africa 2021. It is an accelerator which aims to provide support and scale startups across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The accelerator will support entrepreneurs of early-stage ventures building for-profit, market-based solutions across the education, employment, and benefits spectrum that can help young people in Sub-Saharan Africa better prepare for and manage the future of work.
Participants can expect an investment readiness curriculum, engagement with mentors and investors, and peer collaboration.
The deadline to apply for this program (for both cohorts) is January 22, 2021.
*** PREVIOUS ISSUES ***
– Business Opportunities Monthly – November 2020
– Business Opportunities Monthly – October 2020
– Business Opportunities Monthly – September 2020
– Business Opportunities Monthly – August 2020
– Business Opportunities Monthly – July 2020
– Business Opportunities Monthly – June 2020
